He was agreeing with a poster whereas your post seemed somewhat confrontational.
- wolfhounds

My post wasn't confrontational at all. My post was simply pointing out exactly the same thing, that he posted later. That every game is a playoff game and a must win regardless of the opponent.

How about the Flyers build a team that not only comes close but wins it?

If Emery didn't get hurt IMO, they did build that team. But that is with ridiculous depth at center and a future hall of famer on defense with another defender who was an above average #1 on the majority of teams league wide leading the 2nd pair. But this group is nowhere near as talented so let's rebuild the roster so it is.

He also said the if you get in the playoffs you have a chance which is garbage if you don't have the talent.
- psuhockey

Yup. I want to win the cup, not make it into the playoffs for the sake of making it into the playoffs, and I don't think there is one person on this board who would say this team is a serious contender.

How about the Flyers build a team that not only comes close but wins it?
- psuhockey

there's no such guarantee, regardless of how well you build your team

How is this any different then what I posted earlier? Which you replied with

"You truly enjoy stating the obvious, don't you?"
- MJL

Perhaps you should stop attacking the poster and contribute something to the conversation

The whole first pair level thing is totally up to interpretation. He has been our best all situations d-man for the past month and a half. That to me means he is playing as a top pair level... for our team.

When you try use certain players as an example of a top pair d-man, guys like Doughty, Weber, etc.. Thats kinda not fair. They are elite d-men. Very few of them in the NHL.


EDIT: Also, were you referring to us having our goalie pulled or the other way around?
- jak521

The question was asked if we want Del Zotto out protecting a 1 goal game late. I think Del Zotto has certainly been the Flyers most dynamic defenseman, and has been the best at helping to generate a better attack, but I think it's overblown saying he's a first pair defenseman. With being said, the elements of his game that he adds are crucial to this team. Streit is a solid point producer and puck mover, but he doesn't move up on the play as well as Del Zotto does. Del Zotto has also held his own defensively, and is very competitive in his own end. So while I do trust Del Zotto defensively, I think there are better choices to put out on the ice in late game situations with the lead. Again, that's not a knock on Del Zotto, just using players in the right role.

My post wasn't confrontational at all. My post was simply pointing out exactly the same thing, that he posted later. That every game is a playoff game and a must win regardless of the opponent.
- MJL

Yeah, confrontational was perhaps the wrong word. Regardless, I shouldn't have stepped in this as BiggE can speak for himself. My bad.

How about the Flyers build a team that not only comes close but wins it?

If Emery didn't get hurt IMO, they did build that team. But that is with ridiculous depth at center and a future hall of famer on defense with another defender who was an above average #1 on the majority of teams league wide leading the 2nd pair. But this group is nowhere near as talented so let's rebuild the roster so it is.

He also said the if you get in the playoffs you have a chance which is garbage if you don't have the talent.
- psuhockey

Getting into the playoffs this year, doesn't in any way prevent the Flyers from building a team to try and win it all. And I emphasize the word try, because there are no guarantees.

If you get into the playoffs, you do have a chance. That's proven.

I'm jealous Carolina has Eric Tulsky working for them.

Why are you going back before the Allstar game? I can do that too and add the 3 losses to playoffs teams before the penguins game before the break.

Never said it was a mirage. I just stated this was an easy portion of the schedule. The team was mediocre before it and has been mediocre since. Yes they beat two playoffs teams the last two games but also lost the two games before that against two of the worst teams in the league. So are they good because the last games or lousy because of the games before it?

Do you think they can win the cup? If not, what's the point of the playoffs? Wouldn't clearing space and acquiring draft picks be more beneficial to the future?
- psuhockey

You just picked an arbitrary starting point (12 games) so I figured I'd do the same (13 games). But okay, I'll bite:

In those 12 games, 6 (half of them) have been against playoff teams. Their record in those games in 4-1-1. Now I understand that's a whole world of difference that 5-1-1 in 7 games, but it's still pretty damned good, especially considering their top 2 players were mired in severe droughts and their starting goalie has been injured for the majority of that stretch.

The more interesting thing is that they've played worse against NON playoff teams. So they've had trouble with the "easy" portion and played well against the "harder" competition. So I'm not sure what conclusion you can draw by saying that they've only played well because it's an "easy portion" of the schedule when half of the teams they've played are playoff teams than they're 4-1-1 against them.

I'm not saying they should be considered a Cup contender or even a Conference Finals contender. But, if you feel that there's no point in making the playoffs when you don't win the Cup, would you argue that the team would have been better off just forfeiting every game and getting the #1 pick? I mean, what's the point of playing and possibly earning a few points here and there if you don't win the Cup,, right?

Heres the kicker. Flyers are getting healthy.

Over the past 2+ weeks they have added Grossmann, Coburn, White. They will be adding Timonen and Mason.

Our defense gets a heck of a lot better with all of those players.

I still would like to see them try to move a defender, but the Flyers making the playoffs isnt completely out of the picture.. Like I said two weeks ago.. there is still a ton of hockey to be played.
- jak521

it would be pretty spectacular if we could make a trade for some assets and still make the playoffs......hextall for nhl exec of the year if that happens?

Yup. I want to win the cup, not make it into the playoffs for the sake of making it into the playoffs, and I don't think there is one person on this board who would say this team is a serious contender.
- wolfhounds

I think the luxury (if you want to call it that) for the Flyers is that many of their players are signed through next season so they can really just stand pat during this run and still make moves in the offseason or at next years TDL. Guys like Schenn and Grossmann might be worth more next year anyway.

Moving Coburn, Streit or MDZ now makes it difficult to make a playoff run. I'd be more open to moving them in the offseason unless the offer is substantial now

Getting into the playoffs this year, doesn't in any way prevent the Flyers from building a team to try and win it all. And I emphasize the word try, because there are no guarantees.

If you get into the playoffs, you do have a chance. That's proven.
- MJL

Part of me is praying the Penguins pick up the pace to get the #1 seed. The Flyers sneaking in and getting The Penguins in the first round would be unbelievable theater.

The Penguins would be tight and the Flyers would be playing with house money.

there's no such guarantee, regardless of how well you build your team
- BulliesPhan87

Tell that to the NHL's "model team" the pittsburgh Penguins. They've won the last 5 Stanley Cups, right? Because they have 2 "generational" players and some of the best possession defensemen in the league.

Part of me is praying the Penguins pick up the pace to get the #1 seed. The Flyers sneaking in and getting The Penguins in the first round would be unbelievable theater.

The Penguins would be tight and the Flyers would be playing with house money.
- MBFlyerfan

I still think the Penguins are deep enough to take out the Flyers this year if that happens, but it would be absolute chaos during the 5/6/7 games they play.

They better (frank)ing win tonight or I'm throwing my sofa directly through my TV
- PhillySportsGuy

Yup. I want to win the cup, not make it into the playoffs for the sake of making it into the playoffs, and I don't think there is one person on this board who would say this team is a serious contender.
- wolfhounds

not that i disagree but i remember around this time in 2010 thinking/ hearing/saying the same thing.....if they keep playing this way and get in and keep playing this way once the playoffs start (or even find another level?) who knows what could happen?

edit: this city may be due for some luck

They better (frank)ing win tonight or I'm throwing my sofa directly through my TV
- PhillySportsGuy

Pics or it didn't happen.

Getting into the playoffs this year, doesn't in any way prevent the Flyers from building a team to try and win it all. And I emphasize the word try, because there are no guarantees.

If you get into the playoffs, you do have a chance. That's proven.
- MJL

What's your definition of proven? Where's that crappy team to go on a miracle run to actually winning?

Carolina was probably the least talented team to win the cup in the last 20 years but that occurred right after the lockout with new rules and the game being called in a way that it hasn't been called since, with zero obstruction. So are there rule changes that are happening at the deadline I am not aware of?

more to come...
- black_francis

oh ish.

not that i disagree but i remember around this time in 2010 thinking/ hearing/saying the same thing.....if they keep playing this way and get in and keep playing this way once the playoffs start (or even find another level?) who knows what could happen?
- hogweed

l they needed was 2 points in 2 games against the Rangers. They couldn't even pick up 1 point in the loss at MSG. And they went to a shootout against them at home. They NEVER beat the Rangers and they're historically AWFUL at shootouts.

Somehow, they snuck in as the #7 seed and pulled off a crazy run that should have at least ended with Game 7 in Chicago. Far from the norm or the preferred way to get in, but crazier things have happened.

What's your definition of proven? Where's that crappy team to go on a miracle run to actually winning?

Carolina was probably the least talented team to win the cup in the last 20 years but that occurred right after the lockout with new rules and the game being called in a way that it hasn't been called since, with zero obstruction. So are there rule changes that are happening at the deadline I am not aware of?
- psuhockey

Do the 2012 #8 seed LA Kings count?

Then why not make him the 3rd pairing. Dont forget he plays on the top PK unit almost every night he is in the lineup.
- mace14

Schultz and Coburn are the top PK guys this season.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/pl...erGame&viewName=timeOnIce

I still think the Penguins are deep enough to take out the Flyers this year if that happens, but it would be absolute chaos during the 5/6/7 games they play.
- jmatchett383

That is my point. But I think the Flyers are in the Penguins head for a few years now, and would have a real chance to win.

l they needed was 2 points in 2 games against the Rangers. They couldn't even pick up 1 point in the loss at MSG. And they went to a shootout against them at home. They NEVER beat the Rangers and they're historically AWFUL at shootouts.

Somehow, they snuck in as the #7 seed and pulled off a crazy run that should have at least ended with Game 7 in Chicago. Far from the norm or the preferred way to get in, but crazier things have happened.
- jmatchett383

yeah given all that and watching that shootout start with lundqvvvist at one end and boosh at the other i wasn't all that optimistic

If the Flyers had Erik Gustafsson on their roster, do you think he would be seeing regular playing time right now?