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

Panarin has solved this problem.

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.
- Pixote Andolini

I'd be listening real hard if somebody called, let's put it that way

Panarin has solved this problem.
- puckhead17

He plays with Anisimov and Kane, and they are borderline unstoppable together

They're covering up for a lot of the Toews line's woes

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.
- Jsaquella

Not so sure Couturier can be.
Who knows?

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

Effort hasn't been the issue I saw the last few games..

Voracek , Couturier, Read, Sinmmonds, Schenn and Raffl aren't producing. Only one of those players has high end talent while the rest apparently need an empty net to take advantage of their talent.

To me the biggest forward holes on this team right now are another first line wing its great Raffl had 21 goals last season and a second line center that produces more than time of posession numbers.

He plays with Anisimov and Kane, and they are borderline unstoppable together

They're covering up for a lot of the Toews line's woes
- AllInForFlyers

But he's replaced Saad as the teams top LW, technically he's replaced Sharp the teams top 6.
I think he'll be rookie of the year.

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.
- Pixote Andolini

Read is probably dealt. And not for much of a return. He is the oldest player on our core and is probably a fringe core player at best now given his downward trend.

It's sad because he came into the league on fire and somewhat quickly fizzled out. I'd take a 3rd and perhaps a later pick and move on.

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.
- Pixote Andolini

Everyone's production is trending downward.
I don't know how Read, or Manning, or anyone else can be singled out at this point.
I really wonder if anyone can be called untouchable at this point.
Unless this is part of the plan?
I wonder what a revamped blue line will do in 3 years when your forwards can't hit corners?
It doesn't matter who's on an odd man rush, they look hesitant, and confused.

Not so sure Couturier can be.
Who knows?
- puckhead17

I don't. He should be producing with how much time his line has been spending in the offensive zone, but he's not. Neither are Simmonds or Read. Law of averages says eventually it goes, but it hasn't so far

Everyone's production is trending downward.
I don't know how Read, or Manning, or anyone else can be singled out at this point.
I really wonder if anyone can be called untouchable at this point.
Unless this is part of the plan?
I wonder what a revamped blue line will do in 3 years when your forwards can't hit corners?
It doesn't matter who's on an odd man rush, they look hesitant, and confused.
- puckhead17

Scoring team-wide is down. You're right. The concern for Read for me though is that he doesn't look to have the same tools he once had. His speed isn't what it was. Raffl looks slower this season as well and might be a side effect of his injuries from last year to this year. The Flyers as a team are dumping pucks in consistently at a higher rate since the 2013 season and for the most part it's because they're unable to have the puck skating OFZ entries. That's 1 part defense moving the puck up the ice to forwards with speed and 2 the forwards have to make plays to make the opposition miss or get out of alignment to allow for a zone entry. Every NHL team stresses play without the puck and neutral zone defense schemes. Your players have to make plays to beat that at some point.

I don't. He should be producing with how much time his line has been spending in the offensive zone, but he's not. Neither are Simmonds or Read. Law of averages says eventually it goes, but it hasn't so far
- Jsaquella

That stat of being the lowest scoring franchise team at the 20 game mark is really frightening.
This is a team thing, not one guy, or 5 guys.
It's scary that they have become this bad.

Panarin has solved this problem.
- puckhead17

i'm considering dropping Voracek for Panarin on one of my teams

But that's how you tank, no goalie, no wins. Like the a Sabres did last year.
- tuna99

No reason to tank. No reason to move Mason.

Just keep throwing the same team out there night after night. Shuffle the lines occasionally to show you're trying to find chemistry, and bring up a player or two for an audition when an injury occurs. The results will be essentially the same as they are now.

I don't. He should be producing with how much time his line has been spending in the offensive zone, but he's not. Neither are Simmonds or Read. Law of averages says eventually it goes, but it hasn't so far
- Jsaquella

Coots deserved a shot at second center but I still believe he'll top out as a good third pivot, which isn't a terrible thing.

Scoring team-wide is down. You're right. The concern for Read for me though is that he doesn't look to have the same tools he once had. His speed isn't what it was. Raffl looks slower this season as well and might be a side effect of his injuries from last year to this year. The Flyers as a team are dumping pucks in consistently at a higher rate since the 2013 season and for the most part it's because they're unable to have the puck skating OFZ entries. That's 1 part defense moving the puck up the ice to forwards with speed and 2 the forwards have to make plays to make the opposition miss or get out of alignment to allow for a zone entry. Every NHL team stresses play without the puck and neutral zone defense schemes. Your players have to make plays to beat that at some point.
- Pixote Andolini

Puck skating offensive zone entries don't look to improve with Laughton out, and what, Vinnie in? I'm the only one who wants him bought out, the dead cap space issue? He is dead cap space the longer he's here, and that will give them the start of some breathing room to do something.
I'm not one for the "patience" route. Last seasons goal production was the lowest in 10 prior seasons.
I'm sorry, we look like a capped out expansion team.

i'm considering dropping Voracek for Panarin on one of my teams
- 2Real

Walt McKechnie looks pretty good, you Seals fan.

That stat of being the lowest scoring franchise team at the 20 game mark is really frightening.
This is a team thing, not one guy, or 5 guys.
It's scary that they have become this bad.
- puckhead17

Worst case scenario is a top pick. So worst case isn't really that awful.

Worst case scenario is a top pick. So worst case isn't really that awful.
- Jsaquella

yup then we'll get awesome mathews

Walt McKechnie looks pretty good, you Seals fan.
- puckhead17

Rather go with Ivan Boldirev

Worst case scenario is a top pick. So worst case isn't really that awful.
- Jsaquella

Yeah, that's only 60 more games, and another depressing hot summer away.

Cake.

Rather go with Ivan Boldirev
- DaveofYork

I agree!

Puck skating offensive zone entries don't look to improve with Laughton out, and what, Vinnie in? I'm the only one who wants him bought out, the dead cap space issue? He is dead cap space the longer he's here, and that will give them the start of some breathing room to do something.
I'm not one for the "patience" route. Last seasons goal production was the lowest in 10 prior seasons.
I'm sorry, we look like a capped out expansion team.
- puckhead17

I know it man. It's really sad.

To all the Giroux lovers, who think it's blasphemy to trade that overpaid overrated captain... Tell me would it really make a difference if he was traded? Like the team would be worse without him. It would free up over 8 million in cap & start the rebuild which this team desperately needs.

Yeah, that's only 60 more games, and another depressing hot summer away.

Cake.
- puckhead17

depressing? we'll have mathews, provorov, ghost, morin, sanheim, haag, konecy to look forwayd to

Worst case scenario is a top pick. So worst case isn't really that awful.
- Jsaquella

Not with who it could be