Just amazes me how we are 2 years removed from a playoff spot with the same core group ( G Voracek Simmonds Couturier Mason Read Schenns) and this is the year we are having? Did everyone forget how to play?

I think things are stale right now and a change is needed. Where or who,I don't know. I agree with those who don't want to trade just for the sake of doing so, but this can't go on into March /April.

Call ups are nice,but I feel a shakeup of our core is needed.
- Pelle31Forever

I think that they need to get past the idea that guys like Read, Simmonds & Schenn can be core guys. I think that the core is Giroux & Voracek, and maybe Couturier.

That said, you can't just give guys like Simmonds away, because he is a good player. But in reality, the only two guys who are really impossible to replace are Giroux & Voracek.

No, we're supporting a multi-year strategy in which acquiring the highest draft pick possible this year is a key element
- TheGreat28

So you are playing for Nolan Patrick, Gabriel Vilardi, Max Gildon, Michael Pastujov, Stelio Mattheos, & Jusso Valimaki in the 2017 draft?

Maybe Hexy can get involved with his old goalie buddy and be part of a three team trade involving Hamonic being sent out west.

Hamonic to Wpg
BSchenn/MDZ to NYI
Ehlers, Connor or Morrissey to Phi(I really don't even care which one)

Exactly -- Cousins and Straka aren't kids. They've been down there long enough, are old enough, where this isn't desperation.

Production should lead to promotion, even if it's temporary. Cousins is tied for fifth in league scoring, after 13 games, and is in his third season down there. He's 22 years old. He led the Phantoms -- admittedly a weaker team, but still -- in scoring last season.

And...you drafted him. I am not saying that he is anything other than a young player, a prospect. But with the way the NHL team is performing, and likely a roster slot available, this shouldn't be a difficult question of bringing him up.

Michael Raffl has one goal. You just made Brayden Schenn a healthy scratch two games ago. Scott Laughton is likely hurt. Ryan White is hurt.

Cousins deserves as much of an opportunity as the guys who aren't producing -- we're 20 games in. A guy with one goal might need to take a seat so we see if another guy can create offense
- AllInForFlyers

I suspect that HB is putting too much expectations on Straka and especially Cousins. I'm all for Cousins getting a shot, because well, the alternative is kinda bleak. But realistically the probability is significantly high that he will be nothing more than a tweener - strong performer in an offensive role in the minors and a 4th line energy forward in the NHL.

Straka has enough skill that there is a chance he could add value at the NHL level. But...and this is a big but... he seems one-dimensional, and clearly the team does not value that trait. I wonder if he'd ever gets a legitimate chance with this organization. The one thing that he has going with him is that the brass may get so desperate that they have no choice but to call him up, a la Ghost.

The reality is that like Manning, Gus, Akeson, etc...I think you guys are overvaluing them and have set your hopes a little too high.

Watching the Flyers as a Sens fan, your transition D is very bad. The D does not get the puck up the ice and that I would say this is your biggest problem. If del zotto is your #1 D - all your problems begin and end right there.

You guys are solid at Center as the flyers always Are, but if these guys aren't getting pucks at speed then not much they can do.

And your goalie is very average - I've never understood why the Flyers have never had a mentally tough NHL goalie with all those great teams they had, I don't think anyone in the NHL has been slightly nervous to face a Flyers goalie since Pele Lindburgh.
- tuna99

Thank you. We should just tank right?

Maybe Hexy can get involved with his old goalie buddy and be part of a three team trade involving Hamonic being sent out west.

Hamonic to Wpg
BSchenn/MDZ to NYI
Ehlers, Connor or Morrissey to Phi(I really don't even care which one)
- hereticpride

Need scoring wingers, though Morrissey would be another good addition to the defense.

I suspect that HB is putting too much expectations on Straka and especially Cousins. I'm all for Cousins getting a shot, because well, the alternative is kinda bleak. But realistically the probability is significantly high that he will be nothing more than a tweener - strong performer in an offensive role in the minors and a 4th line energy forward in the NHL.

Straka has enough skill that there is a chance he could add value at the NHL level. But...and this is a big but... he seems one-dimensional, and clearly the team does not value that trait. I wonder if he'd ever gets a legitimate chance with this organization. The one thing that he has going with him is that the brass may get so desperate that they have no choice but to call him up, a la Ghost.

The reality is that like Manning, Gus, Akeson, etc...I think you guys are overvaluing them and have set your hopes a little too high.
- TheGreat28

That could very well be true, but at this point in time, Michael Raffl has one goal. One!

They've gotten shutout back-to-back, and are 29th in scoring.

Yes, we might be guilty of "Backup Quarterback Syndrome." But there's zero production on the NHL roster right now -- at some point, the AHL guys deserve a chance to succeed or fail, because the NHL guys aren't even close to getting the job done

I like Michael Raffl as a player. But how do you go 20 games, some of it with Giroux and Voracek and on the PP, and have one goal? That's crazy!

Somebody else has to get a chance

Thank you. We should just tank right?
- Just5

Trade Gagner, the Schenn boys, Read, Mason - basically only keep Couturier, Simmonds, Grioux and Voracek and all your draft picks from the last 3 years and keep rebuilding.

You have a solid group of young Dman coming up - and your C position is solid for the next 10 years.

Yes Tank. #1 thing you need is a legit NHL goalie, a real mentally tough starter who isn't a pretend starter like you've had for the last 15 years.

So you are playing for Nolan Patrick, Gabriel Vilardi, Max Gildon, Michael Pastujov, Stelio Mattheos, & Jusso Valimaki in the 2017 draft?
- ob18

Me, no. I actually think the team can change it's trajectory with just a couple of moves. And some luck.

1. Get one of the top 5 picks in 2016. Obviously Matthews would change their fortunes dramatically, but Laine, Tkachuk, or Puljujarvi would make a significant impact as well.

2. I think Konecny could be ready next year, mainly because of his size and skating. Smaller, skilled forwards seem to make it more quickly as they don't have to mature into their bodies.

3. Trading a couple of dman - Streit, L Schenn, etc to get picks.

4. If the team finally comes to grips that Couts is a 3rd line center, then a trade for a more offensive-minded 2nd center is the priority next offseason. One of Schenn or Simmonds as a centerpiece of a package would be ideal. This obviously assumes they don't get Matthews.

5. Provorov hopefully is ready for a role next year.

In 2016-17 they will be better, maybe borderline playoff. Then the following year when Sanheim is ready, and maybe a young forward like NAK, Lindblom, etc. they can start to mature into a top caliber team.

Trade Gagner, the Schenn boys, Read, Mason - basically only keep Couturier, Simmonds, Grioux and Voracek and all your draft picks from the last 3 years and keep rebuilding.

You have a solid group of young Dman coming up - and your C position is solid for the next 10 years.

Yes Tank. #1 thing you need is a legit NHL goalie, a real mentally tough starter who isn't a pretend starter like you've had for the last 15 years.
- tuna99

Classic.

Trade Gagner, the Schenn boys, Read, Mason - basically only keep Couturier, Simmonds, Grioux and Voracek and all your draft picks from the last 3 years and keep rebuilding.

You have a solid group of young Dman coming up - and your C position is solid for the next 10 years.

Yes Tank. #1 thing you need is a legit NHL goalie, a real mentally tough starter who isn't a pretend starter like you've had for the last 15 years.
- tuna99

Theyrw f'd if they trade Mason given how young our G prospects are.

Theyrw f'd if they trade Mason given how young our G prospects are.
- hereticpride

But that's how you tank, no goalie, no wins. Like the a Sabres did last year.

Trade Gagner, the Schenn boys, Read, Mason - basically only keep Couturier, Simmonds, Grioux and Voracek and all your draft picks from the last 3 years and keep rebuilding.

You have a solid group of young Dman coming up - and your C position is solid for the next 10 years.

Yes Tank. #1 thing you need is a legit NHL goalie, a real mentally tough starter who isn't a pretend starter like you've had for the last 15 years.
- tuna99

Thank you sir. I'd add Simmonds to the trade pile

Theyrw f'd if they trade Mason given how young our G prospects are.
- hereticpride

I'm fine with parting with Mason or neuvirth...whoever has the most value.

Still want to see some level of effort..........I'm well aware of the potential of the draft eligible prospects.
- ob18

Their trying hard out there...unless their not trying enough...which would make them a great team!

I think there are a few of us who watch Blackhawks games, or track them a bit

Those who do can confirm this: Ask how long Joel Quenneville put up with lack of production from 1LW, now that Brandon Saad is gone. He has gone through FIVE guys at 1LW, and last night, he moved Marian Hossa down to 3RW because Hossa has, I think, two goals this season

They have brought guys up and sent guys down and moved guys around

These are the Stanley Cup champions, and I won't argue if somebody calls them a dynasty, and they have zero issues in moving on from people and giving someone else a chance when they aren't producing

Trade Gagner, the Schenn boys, Read, Mason - basically only keep Couturier, Simmonds, Grioux and Voracek and all your draft picks from the last 3 years and keep rebuilding.

You have a solid group of young Dman coming up - and your C position is solid for the next 10 years.

Yes Tank. #1 thing you need is a legit NHL goalie, a real mentally tough starter who isn't a pretend starter like you've had for the last 15 years.
- tuna99

Goaltending? Thank you come again.

Me, no. I actually think the team can change it's trajectory with just a couple of moves. And some luck.

1. Get one of the top 5 picks in 2016. Obviously Matthews would change their fortunes dramatically, but Laine, Tkachuk, or Puljujarvi would make a significant impact as well.

2. I think Konecny could be ready next year, mainly because of his size and skating. Smaller, skilled forwards seem to make it more quickly as they don't have to mature into their bodies.

3. Trading a couple of dman - Streit, L Schenn, etc to get picks.

4. If the team finally comes to grips that Couts is a 3rd line center, then a trade for a more offensive-minded 2nd center is the priority next offseason. One of Schenn or Simmonds as a centerpiece of a package would be ideal. This obviously assumes they don't get Matthews.

5. Provorov hopefully is ready for a role next year.

In 2016-17 they will be better, maybe borderline playoff. Then the following year when Sanheim is ready, and maybe a young forward like NAK, Lindblom, etc. they can start to mature into a top caliber team.
- TheGreat28

I think I would like to see these three things happen up front. On D the kids can continue to filter in.

1.Get in position to draft one of the big LWs. Hopefully NHL ready. I don't mind waiting a year if need be though.

2. Move a package of BSchenn plus or Simmonds plus for a high end 2C prospect. This pushes Coots into a 3C spot and likely pushes Laughton to a LW role, further increasing depth at those two positions.

3. Konecny comes in next year or the year following as RW2.


Tkachuk G Jake
Laughton Draisaitl* Konecny
Raffl Coots Simmonds or BSchenn
Vdv PEB White


*(Hell, RNH might become available the way Draisaitl is currently playing)

That could very well be true, but at this point in time, Michael Raffl has one goal. One!

They've gotten shutout back-to-back, and are 29th in scoring.

Yes, we might be guilty of "Backup Quarterback Syndrome." But there's zero production on the NHL roster right now -- at some point, the AHL guys deserve a chance to succeed or fail, because the NHL guys aren't even close to getting the job done

I like Michael Raffl as a player. But how do you go 20 games, some of it with Giroux and Voracek and on the PP, and have one goal? That's crazy!

Somebody else has to get a chance
- AllInForFlyers

Ultimately, you're right. I would give Straka a chance because he at least has skills they lack. But there are still moves I'd try before bringing up Cousins.

1. Why not give Schenn at least 3 or 4 games at center?
2. Why not split G and Jake for at least a couple of games.
3. If you don't want to put Schenn at C, then how about as Cout's RW?

Assuming Laughton is out, Try either:

Straka - G - Jake
Read - Couturier - Schenn
Raffl - PEB - Simmonds
The rest of the spare parts

Raffl - G - Jake
Straka - Schenn - Read
Leier - Couturier - Simmonds
spare parts

Straka - G - Simmonds
Read - Couturier/Schenn - Jake
Raffl - Schenn/Couturier - Gagner
spare parts


I'm not dead set against Cousins, but there are some other moves I'd try first. Alas, I don't see Hak doing any of these.

I think I would like to see these three things happen up front. On D the kids can continue to filter in.

1.Get in position to draft one of the big LWs. Hopefully NHL ready. I don't mind waiting a year if need be though.

2. Move a package of BSchenn plus or Simmonds plus for a high end 2C prospect. This pushes Coots into a 3C spot and likely pushes Laughton to a LW role, further increasing depth at those two positions.

3. Konecny comes in next year or the year following as RW2.


Tkachuk G Jake
Laughton Draisaitl* Konecny
Raffl Coots Read
Vdv PEB White


*(Hell, RNH might become available the way Draisaitl is currently playing)
- hereticpride

Pretty much saying the same thing.

Draisaitl is interesting. I suggested that before he was called up for a package starting with Simmonds and fans on here said no.

I think there are a few of us who watch Blackhawks games, or track them a bit

Those who do can confirm this: Ask how long Joel Quenneville put up with lack of production from 1LW, now that Brandon Saad is gone. He has gone through FIVE guys at 1LW, and last night, he moved Marian Hossa down to 3RW because Hossa has, I think, two goals this season

They have brought guys up and sent guys down and moved guys around

These are the Stanley Cup champions, and I won't argue if somebody calls them a dynasty, and they have zero issues in moving on from people and giving someone else a chance when they aren't producing
- AllInForFlyers

Ummm but what about the custom Brayden schenn hats? The kids that want to see them at the carnival?? Cmon there's more to it

Pretty much saying the same thing.

Draisaitl is interesting. I suggested that before he was called up for a package starting with Simmonds and fans on here said no.
- TheGreat28

Draisaitl is probably wishful thinking now. Kid is on fire.

I really think they could end up shopping RNH if he keeps it up.

Ultimately, you're right. I would give Straka a chance because he at least has skills they lack. But there are still moves I'd try before bringing up Cousins.

1. Why not give Schenn at least 3 or 4 games at center?
2. Why not split G and Jake for at least a couple of games.
3. If you don't want to put Schenn at C, then how about as Cout's RW?

Assuming Laughton is out, Try either:

Straka - G - Jake
Read - Couturier - Schenn
Raffl - PEB - Simmonds
The rest of the spare parts

Raffl - G - Jake
Straka - Schenn - Read
Leier - Couturier - Simmonds
spare parts

Straka - G - Simmonds
Read - Couturier/Schenn - Jake
Raffl - Schenn/Couturier - Gagner
spare parts


I'm not dead set against Cousins, but there are some other moves I'd try first. Alas, I don't see Hak doing any of these.
- TheGreat28

I'm in favor of anything right now that isn't exactly what they've been doing -- I understand there are no trades coming. But the lines should be changing to something close to any of the scenarios you listed rather than trying what has got you 29th in scoring -- you have to try something different. We're 20 games in. Doing what you have been doing is not really working

Matt Read is a big concern for me. Not only is production trending downward he doesn't possess the speed he had in his first 2 seasons with the Flyers. He seemed to be a more intelligent and thoughtful player. I'd move him for whatever I can at this point. Way too much money and ice time for another somewhat decent penalty killer who used to have speed and finish but no longer does.

"The 34 goals scored by the Flyers through the first 20 games sets an unwanted new franchise record for the fewest goals at this point of season. The previous low was 39 goals through the first 20 games of the 1968-69 season."

Glad the patience plan is working.