He's pretty tough. He was in pain, but he got up and skated off and actually took a seat on the bench before he left.

Not gonna name names, but I don't think we'd have seen the same thing with a different "generational player" when he was 18.
- jmatchett383

I know, right?

Now, all that's left is to keep McDavid away from Pierre McGuire interviews.

I am ok. I see the team for what it is. 2 legit studs surrounded by an inconsistent supporting cast with a few washed up vets sprinkled in, a defensive core that is loaded in mediocrity and some very capable goalies.

This team was never making a deep play off run. Just making or just missing the playoffs are the worst case scenarios. I actually want them to be a bottom 3 team. We need help on offense. I think we still need to build through go the draft.

The blame for the current state of affairs goes to Ed Snyder. He hired and trusted PH.

Hell, I'd just flat-out waive him at this point. I know he's young and has a chance to improve, etc. but at the present moment, he is in no way ready to hold down a top-6 spot. I'd swap him with Hagg or Ghost right now, at least mix it up.

Edit: Although not a dirty play, his career highlight as an NHL player may be significantly injuring Connor McDavid.
- jmatchett383

I would waive him as well. no one is going to claim him and if they do, oh well.

Bill any thoughts on Alt so far this year? I have not see him play this year though I would call up Alt to see if he can be a bottom pairing guy going forward. He is a plus player so far on the phantoms. Unless they flat out have decided he isn't in the plans he is who I call up next.

I am a read fan. that being said it might be time to cut bait with him. could be a case of diminishing returns. not sure what the market is for him. might be best to get him off the books even if the return is light.

I'm not taking shots but if I defend a Schenn, I have to be in love with them or related somehow. Just because a name tag I made the summer prior to the lockout. You defend Couturier, by clearly being a fan by having a photo of him as your aviator, nobody says a thing. It really depends who the collective majority has agreed they like more as a jury.

My opinion of Couturier is, he plays small for his size and might only his 20 goals once in his career, which admittingly might be due to how he's used. I think he has above average skill with the puck and fantastic vision but my hopes aren't high for his offensive upside. Being used to check never stopped a Jordan Staal, Mike Richards, Mike Peca or even a Michel Handzus. I wouldn't move Couturier for anything but he's been below average on the PP when given a shot. This is year 5 and regardless of how he's used, it's time to put up. Regardless of Brayden Schenn's role, he's a 20 goal guy.
- SuperSchennBros

Your martyr game is strong today

This team has no bite in their game. Even Simmonds just doesn't seem to have jump or provide and bite. Team is soft in battles. I'll keep watching because I am a flyers fan, but team has no testicler fortitude.

Ghost has not earned his callup. Starting to come around offensively but still having issues defensively at the AHL level. Bringing him up right now would be counter to Hextall's belief that players have to be very obviously NHL ready. At least let him hit a groove with the Phantoms first before making that move. Being no worse than Manning is not a basis for an immediate callup, IMO.
- bmeltzer

How has alt been? he is a plus player for the phantoms. Now would be a good time to see if he has a future on the bottom pairing. Assuming he has played well and earned it.

This team has no bite in their game. Even Simmonds just doesn't seem to have jump or provide and bite. Team is soft in battles. I'll keep watching because I am a flyers fan, but team has no testicler fortitude.
- J35Bacher

Trade for Lucic.

Well we certainly can't blame Holmgren. Who do we blame? The Easter Bunny?
- PLindbergh31

everyone with this team shares in the Blame...Holmgren made some real stupid decisions...Hextall trading Hartnell ...a productive player, leader and glue guy for a guy who is the equivalent of a fourth line checking forward, is proving to be a a very poor hockey move....The entire decision making management team shares in this....the drafting...the free agent signings...the guys they let go and the guys they kept over others....

I think it shows how valuable a guy like Couturier is, who can do multiple positive things for your team even when he's not scoring.
- johndewar

It does. I do wish we had the ability to have some depth by adding some veterans on reasonable contracts who could actually contribute.

How has alt been? he is a plus player for the phantoms. Now would be a good time to see if he has a future on the bottom pairing. Assuming he has played well and earned it.
- rinaldo

Alt is a better defender than Manning but not sure he is any better of an NHL option. All the injuries last year set him back quite a bit. Has yet to get back even to where he was at the end of his AHL rookie year where he seemed close to being ready to take next step being a viable, no-frills NHL 6D. Went backwards last year.
- bmeltzer

This team has no bite in their game. Even Simmonds just doesn't seem to have jump or provide and bite. Team is soft in battles. I'll keep watching because I am a flyers fan, but team has no testicler fortitude.
- J35Bacher

I've noticed this too. I didn't expect a good season, but Simmonds and Jake are invisible. Umby and Vinny I expected this crap but it seems to be spreading.

- Feanor

Sorry but

Who is that?

everyone with this team shares in the Blame...Holmgren made some real stupid decisions...Hextall trading Hartnell ...a productive player, leader and glue guy for a guy who is the equivalent of a fourth line checking forward, is proving to be a a very poor hockey move....The entire decision making management team shares in this....the drafting...the free agent signings...the guys they let go and the guys they kept over others....
- landros 2

So far the only move that Hexy has made that still infuriates me is the Hartnell deal. If Umby was on a 1 yr contract and you wanted the cap space great, but this still loks like an awful deal.

[quote=jmatchett383]
yeah saw that after I posted.....he gets a mulligan from me for last year, as bill said he was hurt pretty much all year....this is his 3rd year as a pro...now is the time for the flyers to take a long look at guys like him and cousins to see if any future for them...now this assumes they are playing good for the phanotms...

anyone have any idea how Alt has played this year?

Once they started playing...less than well...I started lurking. When it became apparent that this skid is real, I have avoided the boards the past few days

Anger/Denial/Depression/Acceptance, you know? I'm still in denial, heading rapidly toward depression

Really need for this team to show some signs of progress in something, anything, soon

So far the only move that Hexy has made that still infuriates me is the Hartnell deal. If Umby was on a 1 yr contract and you wanted the cap space great, but this still loks like an awful deal.
- Hextall271

I don't buy the cap space argument completely. I truly believe hextall wanted umberger, though he could still play, and contribute.

Now that he's healthy, he is playing and contributing.

Sorry but

Who is that?
- Scoob

The AHL All-Star.

- Feanor

that about sums it all up

I know this would be sacrilege to trade the best goalie the Flyers have had in a long while, but moving Mason should be explored.

I think everyone agrees the Flyers aren't winning any time soon. Mason is due a big raise when his contract is up in two seasons and spending a lot on a goaltender is never a great idea especially on a long term contract. It's not like he is Price either. Also you don't need an elite goaltender to win the cup.

So moving Mason and say Simmonds could result in a big talent influx hopefully at forward in prospects/young plays and picks and make the team worst in the short term increasing the lottery chances over the next two seasons.

The Flyers could bounce right back off the bottom in 2 years with young defense, young stud 2nd line, and with Giroux and Voracek playing on the top line. The team should then have cap space and picks to spare to acquire a decent goaltender.

So far the only move that Hexy has made that still infuriates me is the Hartnell deal. If Umby was on a 1 yr contract and you wanted the cap space great, but this still loks like an awful deal.
- Hextall271

I still have a hard time believing that was the best return we could get for Hartnell.

Oh, if they only had a big center in the lineup, who was responsible defensively, yet, still helped drive possession! That would be something, wouldn't it?


- johndewar

I think he does all these things but if he wants to be more than a checker, it's time to step up that offense. One day his skating may work against him too. Also it couldn't hurt to be more aggressive physically. What good is being big if he isn't going to use that frame?

I know this would be sacrilege to trade the best goalie the Flyers have had in a long while, but moving Mason should be explored.

I think everyone agrees the Flyers aren't winning any time soon. Mason is due a big raise when his contract is up in two seasons and spending a lot on a goaltender is never a great idea especially on a long term contract. It's not like he is Price either. Also you don't need an elite goaltender to win the cup.

So moving Mason and say Simmonds could result in a big talent influx hopefully at forward in prospects/young plays and picks and make the team worst in the short term increasing the lottery chances over the next two seasons.

The Flyers could bounce right back off the bottom in 2 years with young defense, young stud 2nd line, and with Giroux and Voracek playing on the top line. The team should then have cap space and picks to spare to acquire a decent goaltender.
- psuhockey

don't think mason would get that much back TBH....don't completely disagree with you though he may have more value to the flyers than in a trade.

what do you think he could bring back?

should be suspended indefinitely imo
- BulliesPhan87

Suspended for what? Keeping a guy to the outside and both crashing into the boards? I though he played that decently well......just an unfortunate result.

I know this would be sacrilege to trade the best goalie the Flyers have had in a long while, but moving Mason should be explored.

I think everyone agrees the Flyers aren't winning any time soon. Mason is due a big raise when his contract is up in two seasons and spending a lot on a goaltender is never a great idea especially on a long term contract. It's not like he is Price either. Also you don't need an elite goaltender to win the cup.

So moving Mason and say Simmonds could result in a big talent influx hopefully at forward in prospects/young plays and picks and make the team worst in the short term increasing the lottery chances over the next two seasons.

The Flyers could bounce right back off the bottom in 2 years with young defense, young stud 2nd line, and with Giroux and Voracek playing on the top line. The team should then have cap space and picks to spare to acquire a decent goaltender.
- psuhockey

I would definitely be open to packaging Simmonds with a 2nd or NAK or Hagg to get a physical forward with improved puck handling skills, preferably a LW but I wouldn't rule out a C either. The puck looks like a goddamn grenade 50% of the time Simmonds has the puck anywhere outside of the goal mouth.