Didn't need to. My point was made towards the excuses made for Del Zotto and blaming it on the coach. That Sather rushed him is also debatable.
- MJL

Somebody's spoiling for a fight...

A 4-8 Eagles team finished with 4 straight wins to go 8-8. The following year, with pretty much the same team wet 4-12.

Last year, the Flyers started slowly, came roaring back to make the playoffs, which I applaud them for. Why did they play so poorly for much of the first half of the season? I don't believe winning or losing carries from season to season. I believe it has to do with the make up of the individual players. A team character can be forged through adversity and experience but you also need character players with talent. They have some highly talented players( with character), I'll take Gs compete level over mostly anybody in the league. They also have more deadweight/ bad mix than any of the upper echelon or rising teams.

I commend these guys for not giving up, that's the attitude needed to ascend to another level. It is what separated them from the Leafs and Oilers. I stand by stance that for the long term, they are doing themselves a disservice if they make the playoffs or if Hextall doesnt get additional picks in this draft. I know there is no guarantee that a higher pick will be the yada yada yada but, as I stated before, for THIS YEAR, im willing to play the percentages.
- KINGKENZO

I have to disagree. Nothing is 100%. And a team never does itself a disservice in my opinion by making the playoffs. That doesn't exist in my opinion. Winning and creating a winning environment absolutely helps.

A 4-8 Eagles team finished with 4 straight wins to go 8-8. The following year, with pretty much the same team wet 4-12.

Last year, the Flyers started slowly, came roaring back to make the playoffs, which I applaud them for. Why did they play so poorly for much of the first half of the season? I don't believe winning or losing carries from season to season. I believe it has to do with the make up of the individual players. A team character can be forged through adversity and experience but you also need character players with talent. They have some highly talented players( with character), I'll take Gs compete level over mostly anybody in the league. They also have more deadweight/ bad mix than any of the upper echelon or rising teams.

I commend these guys for not giving up, that's the attitude needed to ascend to another level. It is what separated them from the Leafs and Oilers. I stand by stance that for the long term, they are doing themselves a disservice if they make the playoffs or if Hextall doesnt get additional picks in this draft. I know there is no guarantee that a higher pick will be the yada yada yada but, as I stated before, for THIS YEAR, im willing to play the percentages.
- KINGKENZO

10/10, would read again.

wow no trades yet... if hextall is happy with this team wow... just wow
- 2Real

How'd you like Coburn getting player of the game on Sunday?

That clown coach did win a Stanley Cup.
- MJL

I give him as much credit for that as is necessary

and let's be honest, if the Flyers had a healthy D corps in 2004, the Lightning wouldn't have won the Cup.
- KGBflyers10

Are you kidding? Mattias Timander, and Eric Weinrich were as healthy as a couple of oxen.

Then I hope he's ready for salary arbitration.
- Feanor

Exactly -- you don't have to be afraid of players

If you don't come to a deal but still want to keep him, kick his ass in arbitration, and if you don't like how he responds, trade him when you feel like

Cody Franson has played on three consecutive one-year deals. Now, that guy is gonna get PAID in June

But the Leafs didn't want to pay him more, or give him a long-term deal. And that's fine, because they made a decision on what they were willing to pay and while the team is bad, they got an ROI with a first-round pick in what is supposedly a strong draft year

There are very few players in the league who are simply not replaceable, when all is said and done

10/10, would read again.
- Tomahawk

But you have to win games, T'hawk. You really do.

Look at the teams who just lose year after year after year, in all sports. They wait and wait for the next batch of saviors who never come

Detroit's been really successful since 1995, with their share of Cups. But they have managed to keep right on being a dangerous franchise by doing their best to continue winning every season that isn't one of those Cup years

We all have our positions, but I just don't see how losing helps you.

But you have to win games, T'hawk. You really do.

Look at the teams who just lose year after year after year, in all sports. They wait and wait for the next batch of saviors who never comes

Detroit's been really successful since 1995, with their share of Cups. But they have managed to keep right on being a dangerous franchise by doing their best to continue winning every season that isn't one of those Cup years

We all have our positions, but I just don't see how losing helps you.
- AllInForFlyers

Also helps to have good scouts

But this bullpoop about "winning is bad because it costs you draft position" is enough to drive me bat-poop insane
- AllInForFlyers

Nobody is saying that. It was said that the Flyers should trade players if they get a good deal at the deadline even if that costs them the playoffs because this team isn't a cup contender. That's planning for the future to make the team better and yet the response was playoffs are too important since it builds a winning culture. Ok then the Flyers should trade Morin and Sanheim for help at the deadline to make sure they definitely get in. Or is that stupid because it hurts the future? What's more important then now or in the future?

We need him back in the NHL as quick as possible.

New Jersey needs a coach.

Get Milbury and Espo GM jobs.

What's Capt. Lou Albano doing?
- mayorofangrytown

Dead for 5 years and counting

How'd you like Coburn getting player of the game on Sunday?


- Feanor

He's looked pretty good after his first game back. Will continue to watch him with an eye on the trade deadline

Dead for 5 years and counting
- mochoson

Shame. I bet he could manage the Coyotes to the Cup Final.

most would agree that isn't what they want. the problem is that it might not be a first round exit if they get in. i think we can keep most of our guys thru the tdl and make a run at the post season. then make moves in the off-season (draft day, anyone?) to get the return in picks and prospects.
- hogweed

if they can get in and make a run, fine, as long as they shed as much dead weight and accumulate as many picks as possible in the process.

i have a fantasy of rob zepp winning the cup.

How'd you like Coburn getting player of the game on Sunday?


- Feanor

Tim's looking good there.

A 4-8 Eagles team finished with 4 straight wins to go 8-8. The following year, with pretty much the same team wet 4-12.

Last year, the Flyers started slowly, came roaring back to make the playoffs, which I applaud them for. Why did they play so poorly for much of the first half of the season? I don't believe winning or losing carries from season to season. I believe it has to do with the make up of the individual players. A team character can be forged through adversity and experience but you also need character players with talent. They have some highly talented players( with character), I'll take Gs compete level over mostly anybody in the league. They also have more deadweight/ bad mix than any of the upper echelon or rising teams.

I commend these guys for not giving up, that's the attitude needed to ascend to another level. It is what separated them from the Leafs and Oilers. I stand by stance that for the long term, they are doing themselves a disservice if they make the playoffs or if Hextall doesnt get additional picks in this draft. I know there is no guarantee that a higher pick will be the yada yada yada but, as I stated before, for THIS YEAR, im willing to play the percentages.
- KINGKENZO

I want Hexall to get more picks for this year's team if it makes sense long term. As he's said, he's not going to bolster this year's team by mortgaging the future. If he sticks to this plan, then they're relaly not doing themselves a disservice. If someone says they'll overpay for one of our underperforming D, go for it.. otherwise, I am ok with us not being in the lottery if with our record of drafting in the bottom 3rd of the 1st round. Ask Edmonton if they're happy with all those super high picks after missing the playoffs for 9 yrs straight..

Nobody is saying that. It was said that the Flyers should trade players if they get a good deal at the deadline even if that costs them the playoffs because this team isn't a cup contender. That's planning for the future to make the team better and yet the response was playoffs are too important since it builds a winning culture. Ok then the Flyers should trade Morin and Sanheim for help at the deadline to make sure they definitely get in. Or is that stupid because it hurts the future? What's more important then now or in the future?
- psuhockey

To quote MJL -- and I'm sure he's loving that -- you can do both.

It's not an "either/or" question.

You don't have to trade Sanheim or Morin any more than you have to trade Coburn or Grossmann.

Your first priority should be to make the playoffs. And if there's a hockey deal out there that can help you do that and not weaken you for the future, then to me, that is a deal that should be made. Not trading Morin for a 34-year-old fourth-liner, for example.

But at the same time, if you are four points out of the playoffs on March 2 and your evaluation is that you have the best chance of making the playoffs with Braydon Coburn in your lineup, then (frank) no, you don't trade him on March 2 just because the draft is coming in three months and you don't have a second-round pick in it.

He's under contract. You can move him at the draft for a pick. You can move him in a player-for-player deal.

But you damn sure don't have to weaken your chances of making the playoffs this year because you want to lock in a damn draft pick on March 2!

It's not either/or!

We need him back in the NHL as quick as possible.

New Jersey needs a coach.

Get Milbury and Espo GM jobs.

What's Capt. Lou Albano doing?
- mayorofangrytown

isn't capn' lou dead?

With where the Flyers sit now, the choice of buying or selling is an interesting one. I don't advocate trading away a key piece(Coburn, Streit, MDZ) at the TDL if they are in a playoff spot or 2-4 points out, unless the other team is really willing to overpay.

There's not much likelihood of the Flyers drafting in the top ten, so enhancing draft slot isn't much of a route to take, again, unless you can get a team to overpay.

But secondary pieces, assuming fair value? Absolutely. Sell like the Sharks did in 2013. They got great value for Clowe & Murray, still made the playoffs. That's what I'd do if I was Hextall.

Its good for the boys to have a bit of a better end to their season than going out with the tail in between their legs.

Just hope management realises that continuing an organic growth and attempting to stockpile draft picks is the correct path.

A firesale was generally always out of the question anyway, as most of the players you want to deal, are essentially untradeable. At no time however, should a deal be avoided that brings good value, just for a chance at the playoffs. Even if that means slightly hurting the teams chances at making it to the dance.

Build forward, and not for some stupid chance to smell round 1. You want them to go all the way, not just taking the chicks bra off and getting a grope in.

Stay the course.
- flyer_nutter

I was beginning to think someone hacked your account nutter, then I got to the next to last sentence and was like "Oh it is him"...

But you have to win games, T'hawk. You really do.

Look at the teams who just lose year after year after year, in all sports. They wait and wait for the next batch of saviors who never come

Detroit's been really successful since 1995, with their share of Cups. But they have managed to keep right on being a dangerous franchise by doing their best to continue winning every season that isn't one of those Cup years

We all have our positions, but I just don't see how losing helps you.
- AllInForFlyers

I think it is has more to do with knowing when to pull the plug on the season and trying to be realistic with yourselves and your chances. No one is consciously trying to lose, but the focus must be on the process of trying to build a champion. That goes from the top of the organization on down to the coaches and players.

Nobody is saying that. It was said that the Flyers should trade players if they get a good deal at the deadline even if that costs them the playoffs because this team isn't a cup contender. That's planning for the future to make the team better and yet the response was playoffs are too important since it builds a winning culture. Ok then the Flyers should trade Morin and Sanheim for help at the deadline to make sure they definitely get in. Or is that stupid because it hurts the future? What's more important then now or in the future?
- psuhockey

No one is saying to not plan for the future. No your not going to trade Sanheim or Morin for rentals. Also I don't think the Flyers would say no to a good deal if it came along. But I don't think they will move as much now that they are in a playoff hunt compared to if they were in the boat Carolina, Buffalo or Edmonton are in.

But you have to win games, T'hawk. You really do.

Look at the teams who just lose year after year after year, in all sports. They wait and wait for the next batch of saviors who never come

Detroit's been really successful since 1995, with their share of Cups. But they have managed to keep right on being a dangerous franchise by doing their best to continue winning every season that isn't one of those Cup years

We all have our positions, but I just don't see how losing helps you.
- AllInForFlyers

What I don't understand is why does it have to be one or the other? A team like Detroit continues to draft and develop players, while also competing and trying to win. Why does a team have to do one or the other? Why can't the Flyers make the playoffs, create a winning environment, why also building for the future? It should be a continuing cycle with an emphasis on drafting with a healthy balance of other methods such as trades and free agency. It doesn't need to be a choice between one or the other.

Nobody is saying that. It was said that the Flyers should trade players if they get a good deal at the deadline even if that costs them the playoffs because this team isn't a cup contender. That's planning for the future to make the team better and yet the response was playoffs are too important since it builds a winning culture. Ok then the Flyers should trade Morin and Sanheim for help at the deadline to make sure they definitely get in. Or is that stupid because it hurts the future? What's more important then now or in the future?
- psuhockey

Winning every game is important. Ask the Eagles about Leroy Keyes.

Also, like the Sekac for Pelly-Smith deal for Anaheim, much as I like DPS.

Also, gotta say, Nick Leddy sounds a lot better to me at $5.5mm than Andrew MacDonald at $5mm