As I pointed out I don't believe Voracek would be as effective with Giroux if the pair were split. When looking at Simmonds, how effective has Simmonds played with linemates such as Michael Raffl, Scott Laughton, Zac Rinaldo, Petr Straka and Ryan White. Wasn't Simmonds more effective with players like Brayden Schenn, Vincent Lecavalier and/or Danny Briere in terms of offense in years past?
- SuperSchennBros

Oh, there is no question that Simmonds would benefit by playing with a much better, playmaking center. But I think he also needs a speedier winger on the other side, someone that can cycle beyond the faceoff dot and make plays from there. Schenn and Simmonds both are at their best when they're closer to the net.

This of course is my opinion. But more importantly, if you look at line combinations, the team just really makes an effort to put them on different lines so it's clear that they believe it as well.

The (frank)?

Yeah I definitely agree with you there, tough to build a winning culture when losing is promoted ex. Edmonton.

And yeah if the Flyers can get value for some of the D-men I'd be thrilled, you aren't winning with most of these guys so might as well get something for them and see what some of the younger guys can do. I'd love to see Hagg get a couple games with the big club this season.
- FreshFlyer

I really, really liked what I saw from Manning. An ideal scenario would be getting good value for Coburn, then dump Grossman and Coliacavo.

And in some parallel universe, we find a way to not only do that, but dump Vinny and Umberger while were at it.

Lack of Chara is disturbing.
- Giroux_Is_God

i thought he was back

i thought he was back
- -davies-

He's getting old and beginning to shrink

I want them to go down swinging, but they have a 3.2% chance according to whichever oddsmaker Carchidi uses.

Right now, they are 11 points out of the last wild card spot, currently held by Boston. The other wild card is New York. The Flyers are 12 points behind them. They're 14 points behind the Caps for the third divisional spot. That's a lot of ground to make up, especially with three point games.

There's also the games in hand factor. The Flyers have played 52 games. They have 1 game in hand on the Caps, but are tied in games played with Boston and the Isles(who have a 15 point cushion on them). In the cases of the Florida and the Rangers, they actually have played fewer games than the Flyers(50 games each).

Even looking at recent trends, the Flyers would need other teams to have really drop off. Looking at the last ten games for each of the closest teams, they're all comparable to what the Flyers have done, outside of Florida who is in a bit of a tailspin.

Caps 4-4-2 10 points
Rangers 6-4 12 points
Bruins 7-2-1 15 points
Florida 3-6-1 7 points
Flyers 6-3-1 13 points
Devils 6-2-2 NJ 13 points & is one point behind the Flyers.
- Jsaquella

Yeah, by no means do I expect this team to magically make it into the playoffs , realistically its just not going to happen, especially with the team they are putting out there. However, for some reason they seem to think they can or at least are advertising that they are a playoff team as per Giroux. So if that ultimately is their goal a win tonight is a must as well as wins basically every night.

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

Unfortunately your correct....I still think Schenn or Couturier have more to offer....but both at this point remain extremely inconsistent....perhaps a few of the mistake contracts will be easier or less painful to move as they get deeper in to the term, but I think they are two years out from starting to contend again.....that doesn't mean things can't be done to improve....obvious is to develop top pairing D men from with in.....I am fine with tweaking the core if it means bringing in under 25 year olds like Kane....like Myers......like Kadri.....because your still building for 3 years away.

I think he Flyers will try and move guys were possible that don't fit in a few years down the road...but like you said ...easier said then done....I'm sure professional scouts watch the same games I do.

i thought he was back
- -davies-

He is, but he's not right.

Only has like 15 points this season.

EDIT: In about 35 games I think? Not a good clip for a guy as important to his team as Chara.

I really, really liked what I saw from Manning. An ideal scenario would be getting good value for Coburn, then dump Grossman and Coliacavo.

And in some parallel universe, we find a way to not only do that, but dump Vinny and Umberger while were at it.
- mochoson

I can see Coburn going for sure and some of the other D-men as well. As for Vinny and Umberger I could see someone taking on Lecavalier because he still has shown signs that he can produce in the right role but I doubt Umberger can be traded , Flyers are either stuck with him or are going to have to buy him out.

He's getting old and beginning to shrink
- PhillySportsGuy

aw poor little buddy

Oh, there is no question that Simmonds would benefit by playing with a much better, playmaking center. But I think he also needs a speedier winger on the other side, someone that can cycle beyond the faceoff dot and make plays from there. Schenn and Simmonds both are at their best when they're closer to the net.

This of course is my opinion. But more importantly, if you look at line combinations, the team just really makes an effort to put them on different lines so it's clear that they believe it as well.
- TheGreat28

I think Simmonds would be better with more talented players period.

So just win 80% the rest of the way? They're a shoo in!
- Jsaquella

I look at February's 12 games and if they can come away with 16 - 18 points if we have gained significant ground, we go all in and try to make the playoffs. If not, sell the farm. No sacred cows in this top 7 on defense. Get rid of crap contracts if possible.

He's getting old and beginning to shrink
- PhillySportsGuy

Shrinkage????

I look at February's 12 games and if they can come away with 16 - 18 points if we have gained significant ground, we go all in and try to make the playoffs. If not, sell the farm. No sacred cows in this top 7 on defense. Get rid of crap contracts if possible.
- section32

Depends what you mean by going all in. If you mean standing pat at the TDL or being a real modest buyer, I can see that.

But if you mean making moves designed to bolster the chances this year, making deals like the ones for MacDonald and Grossmann, then I disagree.

I'd be selling at the TDL, much like San Jose did a couple years ago when they jettisoned Ryane Clowe and Douglas Murray.

Depends what you mean by going all in. If you mean standing pat at the TDL or being a real modest buyer, I can see that.

But if you mean making moves designed to bolster the chances this year, making deals like the ones for MacDonald and Grossmann, then I disagree.

I'd be selling at the TDL, much like San Jose did a couple years ago when they jettisoned Ryane Clowe and Douglas Murray.
- Jsaquella

This.

If the flyers want to have any realistic shot at making the playoffs, they'd have to go 22-6-2 down the stretch.

I don't see that happening. I'd rather see some minor moves made, trading defensemen for picks/prospects and continue building for the future.

This.

If the flyers want to have any realistic shot at making the playoffs, they'd have to go 22-6-2 down the stretch.

I don't see that happening. I'd rather see some minor moves made, trading defensemen for picks/prospects and continue building for the future.
- fecondo

If they can add a young guy that can be a part of the future, I have no qualms "buying" in that situation. But if they're trading assets that have value, they will need to get full value for them. They have to avoid not getting full value for the guys that could remain and be part of the future themselves.

Depends what you mean by going all in. If you mean standing pat at the TDL or being a real modest buyer, I can see that.

But if you mean making moves designed to bolster the chances this year, making deals like the ones for MacDonald and Grossmann, then I disagree.

I'd be selling at the TDL, much like San Jose did a couple years ago when they jettisoned Ryane Clowe and Douglas Murray.
- Jsaquella

Couldn't agree more..


Mason , Giroux , Voracek are off the table. The last two would have to be unrealistic deals for it work for me.
Simmonds or Couturier would have to be a really good deal for the Flyers.
Sanheim is the prospect i try and hold on to
Everyone else is at least opened to discussion if it is going to help this team next season and beyond.
They aren't making the playoffs this season so I don't see a point in trading to help this year unless it would also help in the subsequent years.

Couldn't agree more..


Mason , Giroux , Voracek are off the table. The last two would have to be unrealistic deals for it work for me.
Simmonds or Couturier would have to be a really good deal for the Flyers.
Sanheim is the prospect i try and hold on to
Everyone else is at least opened to discussion if it is going to help this team next season and beyond.
They aren't making the playoffs this season so I don't see a point in trading to help this year unless it would also help in the subsequent years.
- opeth_pa

Yeah, if it was some off the wall version of the Recchi-Desjardins/LeClair deal, I'd be interested.

Say St Louis calls up and says we'll give you Schwartz & Shattenkirk for Voracek, I'd be very interested, as much as I love Voracek.

I'm just hoping that those who say the cap isn't dire are right, because if the cap only goes to $71mm or so, it's not going to be easy to deal some of these contracts and get decent returns for them.

another loss coming right up gotta get back on the lawson crousse train

If they can add a young guy that can be a part of the future, I have no qualms "buying" in that situation. But if they're trading assets that have value, they will need to get full value for them. They have to avoid not getting full value for the guys that could remain and be part of the future themselves.
- Jsaquella

I agree. Im not advocating for them to trade everyone just to trade them all, but if they can get value for their players I would do it.

If a team like buffalo called offering a late 1st rd pick for Coburn I'd take it. Or if Ottawa offered their 2 2nd round picks. Or maybe an injury occurs on a contending team like det or Anaheim, and they might offer their 1st rd pick. I know these are mostly hypotheticals, but if a situation came up like these, I would jump at the chance.

I agree. Im not advocating for them to trade everyone just to trade them all, but if they can get value for their players I would do it.

If a team like buffalo called offering a late 1st rd pick for Coburn I'd take it. Or if Ottawa offered their 2 2nd round picks. Or maybe an injury occurs on a contending team like det or Anaheim, and they might offer their 1st rd pick. I know these are mostly hypotheticals, but if a situation came up like these, I would jump at the chance.
- fecondo

Agreed, in all those hypotheticals.

I'd also be open to moving a guy like Coburn for prospects.

Agreed, in all those hypotheticals.

I'd also be open to moving a guy like Coburn for prospects.
- Jsaquella

Offensive prospects I'm assuming?

Also, the only player I wouldn't care what the return was, would be Kimmo. That man has done enough for this team, get him a (frank)ing cup!

The next 4 games are on the road right?

That should end any and all playoff talk.

Now get to work swapping some dmen for picks, Hexy!

Offensive prospects I'm assuming?

Also, the only player I wouldn't care what the return was, would be Kimmo. That man has done enough for this team, get him a (frank)ing cup!
- fecondo

Any. They need systemic depth everywhere.

The next 4 games are on the road right?

That should end any and all playoff talk.

Now get to work swapping some dmen for picks, Hexy!
- BiggE

Guessing this positive post comes from somewhere far north and much colder than the Florida keys